Tommy Mottola apologizes to ex-wife Mariah Carey

Record executive Tommy Mottola has apologized to his ex-wife Mariah Carey for appearing controlling while trying to help launch the superstar’s career during the 1990s.

The former Sony Music Entertainment boss married a then-23-year-old Carey in 1993, but their relationship was short-lived and they divorced five years later.

Each time Carey has reflected on their union, she has accused Mottola of being restrictive and trying to regulate her every move, previously stating, “I understand him not wanting me to go out and hang out all night, but going to a spa with friends every now and then, or doing things on my own would have made a world of difference… With Tommy it felt like I had this controlling situation where I wasn’t allowed to be myself.”

Mottola has now addressed the “harsh (and) untrue” allegations for the first time, insisting he was just looking out for the star’s best interests.

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In an excerpt from his new memoir, “Hitmaker: The Man and His Music,” he writes, “No, I did not hypnotize Mariah. No, I did not hypnotize her into selling 200 million albums. No, I did not chain her to the recording studio in the mansion we built after we were married. If it seemed like I was controlling, let me apologize.

“Was I obsessive? Yes. But it was also part of the reason for her success… (and I am) truly sorry for any discomfort or pain that all of my good intentions inevitably caused her.”

And during an interview on “Today,” Mottola, who is now wed to Mexican actress Thalia, said: “I have nothing but the greatest respect for her in the world. I feel great about all of the things that she has achieved as a result of all of the work that we did.”